Potential applications of fish oils rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of gastrointestinal cancer

Summary Background & aims Despite advances in chemotherapeutic agents and surgical approaches for its management, gastrointestinal cancer still accounts for 27% of new cancer cases and 35% of cancer related mortality worldwide. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) specifically eicosapenta...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) Scotland), 2017-02, Vol.36 (1), p.65-78
Main Authors: Eltweri, A.M, Thomas, A.L, Metcalfe, M, Calder, P.C, Dennison, A.R, Bowrey, D.J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology
Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology
Cancer
Cell Proliferation
Databases, Factual
Disease Management
Disease Models, Animal
Docosahexaenoic acid
Docosahexaenoic Acids - pharmacology
Eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosapentaenoic Acid - pharmacology
Evidence-Based Medicine
Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - pharmacology
Fish oil
Fish Oils - pharmacology
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal Neoplasms - drug therapy
Humans
Inflammation
Inflammation - drug therapy
Quality of Life
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
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Summary:Summary Background & aims Despite advances in chemotherapeutic agents and surgical approaches for its management, gastrointestinal cancer still accounts for 27% of new cancer cases and 35% of cancer related mortality worldwide. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities and are used as immuno-nutrients. Methods A literature search was conducted to identify primary research reporting on applications of the omega-3 PUFAs in gastrointestinal cancer. Results Reported laboratory studies indicate a clear role for omega-3 PUFAs in preventing cancer development at various stages including cancer cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, inflammation and metastasis. In clinical settings, omega-3 PUFAs have been reported to improve the immune response, maintain lean body mass, improve quality of life and improve overall survival in patients with colorectal and pancreatic cancer. In contrast to other GI cancers, there is a strong connection between inflammation and oesophageal cancer. Conclusions Little work has been done exploring the role for omega-3 PUFAs in oesophageal cancer prevention and management. The authors are conducting a clinical trial investigating the use of parenteral omega-3 PUFAs supplementary to the standard of care (epirubicin, oxaliplatin and capecitabine palliative chemotherapy) in patients with advanced oesophagogastric cancer as a promising new therapeutic approach.
ISSN:0261-5614
1532-1983
DOI:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.01.007